«As I have already emphasised, the heart of all ITA’s activities is our Member Nations lifeblood of the Association and the essential link between global expertise and national decision-makers, through which knowledge and values translate into real-world outcomes.

Against this backdrop, this autumn has been particularly rich in meaningful engagements for ITA and its Member Nations. The ITA Executive Council had the pleasure of co-organising and participating in the ITA Awards 2025 and the SETC Conference, successfully hosted by ITA Serbia, once again confirming the strength and professionalism of our Serbian colleagues.

Some of us also took part in national conferences organised beginning of November by the renewed Indonesia Tunnelling and Underground Construction Society in Jakarta (a warm welcome back!), by Slovenian Society for Underground Structure in Ljubljana in mid-November, and I was honoured to be invited by the Indian Tunnelling Association to the Tunnelling Asia 2025 Conference on 3 December. In addition, on 4 December, the ExCo participated in a workshop hosted by the Japan Tunnelling Association to celebrate JTA’s 50th anniversary, during which JTA also kindly hosted the ExCo’s third meeting since the elections in Tokyo. These events were excellent opportunities to strengthen collaboration with our Member Nations, to exchange knowledge and best practices, and to share ITA’s vision for the sustainable use of underground space, fully aligned with ITA’s motto: Underground Solutions for a Better World.

In parallel, the ExCo and the Executive Director have been working to enhance cooperation among upcoming WTC host Member Nations—Canada, Belgium and Singapore—aiming to streamline future World Tunnel Congresses through shared tools, including the WTC App, common proceedings format and consolidated best practices.

As the year draws to a close, this festive season invites reflection on the value of what we build together every day. Progress, in tunnelling and within ITA, is born from passion, strong expertise, shared effort, mutual trust and a constant desire to improve.

I wish you and your families a joyful festive season and a healthy, successful year ahead.